AIFF Official Says Beckham Could Headline IPL-Style Tournament In India

June 7, 2013

Indian football fans may "soon have the opportunity to watch David Beckham’s nimble footwork live," according to Williams & Mehta of DNA. If "all goes according to plan," Beckham will join int'l stars such as Thierry Henry and Michael Owen to "showcase their skills in a tournament on the lines of the Indian Premier League." The All India Football Federation and commercial partner IMG-Reliance "are in talks with these players to be part of a franchise-based league, which is scheduled to kick off early next year." AIFF sources said that the players "could be ambassadors of different franchises and might play in some exhibition matches during their tour of India." An AIFF official said, "This plan is in the pipeline, but we will have to wait and see if these players will take part in the league." Beckham and Henry "have contracts with IMG" (DNA, 6/6).